I have to say that the route I have taken today is not my favourite part. There is a long stretch on a N road which is full of cracks and no places to stop for coffee and water. This is a section I seriously need to have a rethink about on future tours.
So with the ride complete, here are the stats –
1388KM cycled
106 hours on the road
12,130 meters climbed!
And here is a link to the full tour map. The 2026 Eclipse Tour | Komoot In 2014, I completed a slightly more direct version of the tour in 9 days. This year I wanted to take more time to explore places more closely that I had discovered on previous tours.
Leading out of Paterna, its hills to climb, then I have this downhill segment. Great view. For the first few hours of the ride, it was overcast, keeping things cool. But it warmed up from the mid point. Headwind as well. The rain that was forecast did not happen 🙂
Another bit of downhill and then a big climb up to that village which is the last place for well over 40KM for coffee and water. So topping up is essential before moving on.
And the road continues to be rubbish.
And here we have a massive sink hole.
And finally, its Gib. This time with a difference. Today was my shortest visit to Gib, maybe less than 1 minute? As the rock has joined Schengen, there are no formalities. Border Police, Customs? All gone. I cycled in. Pushed the stop button on GPS and then cycled to a bar in La Linea.
On previous trips, the stamp collecting in passports had become frustrating. So its great that Gibraltar found a Post Brexit solution. The rest of the UK need to make live easier by reversing Breshite !
And a final shot for this tour looking towards Algeciras. Looks like a search light!